The war between Hamas and Israel hits differently for BYU’s Jake Retzlaff, especially as he watches the conflict being vehemently debated on college campuses in the United States.
The fact that Retzlaff is Jewish and the signal caller at a predominantly Christian school keeps him under a spotlight that shines far beyond Provo.
The war between Hamas and Israel hits differently for BYU’s Jake Retzlaff, especially as he watches the conflict being vehemently debated on college campuses in the United States. The fact that Retzlaff is Jewish and the signal caller at a predominantly Christian school keeps him under a spotlight that shines far beyond Provo.
I’ll admit, sometimes I’d rather ‘just talk about ball.’ Other times, I’m like, ‘Yeah, it is definitely a big deal, especially in today’s political climate,’” Retzlaff told the “Y’s Guys” podcast about being a difference-maker in his faith. “There is not enough good news in the world, period. So, you might as well be some of it.”
That’s what I love about it is that it is good news that there is a Jewish starting quarterback at BYU. That’s good news because maybe some thought it was impossible,” Retzlaff said. “And, maybe some are thinking the Jews aren’t doing too well right now because, frankly, we are not, with Israel being in the state that it is constantly in — and even worse now, and the political climate all over campuses in America right now is unbelievable.”
The former top-ranked junior college quarterback came to Provo last year because the Cougars threw the football. He now sees BYU in a different light.
“I am so grateful to be at a place like BYU where they are nothing but supportive and it’s so awesome to be part of that, and be part of this institution,” he said. “I’ve been so grateful for BYU to have this platform to allow me to be faith-oriented and allow me to grow in my faith.”
The former top-ranked junior college quarterback came to Provo last year because the Cougars threw the football. He now sees BYU in a different light.
“I am so grateful to be at a place like BYU where they are nothing but supportive and it’s so awesome to be part of that, and be part of this institution,” he said. “I’ve been so grateful for BYU to have this platform to allow me to be faith-oriented and allow me to grow in my faith.”
Retzlaff adjusted quickly to a campus life that he didn’t expect.
It’s so faith-oriented. Everybody is talking about it. It’s a part of class. I take religion classes where they pray before every class. We pray before every meeting,” Retzlaff said. “It’s so much easier to grow in your faith when you are around people of faith. It’s simple. Surround yourself with people of faith because you will become like them and that’s how it’s been. I’ve been able to grow in my faith as a Jew.”
Playing on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) is something Retzlaff has had to come to terms with.
“I tell people my Sabbath is simply this, I get to go on the field and play in front of millions of people repping my faith as proudly as I possibly can,” he said. “I love being a beacon of Judaism in front of all those people.”
BYU lost all four games that Retzlaff started last year, including a 40-34 double-overtime defeat at No. 21 Oklahoma State on Thanksgiving weekend where the Cougars led 24-6 at halftime. The season-ending skid kept BYU out of the bowl season.
“I’ve been eager to get back on the field since the plane landed back in Provo,” Retzlaff said. “Everybody is telling me that ‘this summer is going to go by fast. I hope you are ready?’ Well, for me, it can’t come fast enough. We are going to carry that urgency through summer training and right into fall camp and here we go. I’m excited to get this going. I’m excited for what our team is going to put on the field this year.”
If there was an actual school of hard knocks, Retzlaff would already have his master’s degree. An injury to veteran quarterback Kedon Slovis against Texas meant the former Riverside City College star would make his Division I debut against four consecutive Power Four schools — a challenge no other BYU quarterback ever faced.
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